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9 ways to Style your Suit to Say ‘I Love You’

Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day gets us thinking about how we express our love. Whilst February 14th is typically reserved for love-filled spectacles, maybe a handwritten love letter or sharing quality time together, there isn’t one size that fits all.

When it comes to displaying love, what you wear is a fantastic opportunity to create something truly memorable. Crafted with care and personalised for pride, even the little features of a suit can say the biggest words. 

So, in honour of Valentine's season, we've picked 9 suit features to help you express your love.

King and Allen

1. Two halves of a whole  

A personal way to show your affection for your partner is to incorporate a piece of fabric from their outfit into yours and vice versa. A great idea for those planning a wedding, we can integrate  fabric from your partner’s wedding dress or a meaningful garment into a bespoke waistcoat, jacket lining, entire suit, or smaller details like a tie or pocket square.

Curious? Here’s an example of how this might look…

Our CEO and co-founder, Jake Allen, used satin from his wife’s bespoke wedding dress to create a double-breasted waistcoat with shawl lapel. Paired with a blue jacket and trousers, along with contrasting orange detailing on the lining and tie, his waistcoat was a subtle way to match his wife’s attire.

2. Where Lining Meets Love

Think of that side of you that only those closest to you get to see; that's what your suit lining represents. It's the hidden detail, not always visible, that acts as a canvas for self-expression. With thousands of colours, patterns, and fabrics, why not choose something that adorns your personality? 

For a truly bespoke suit, you can print a design that's uniquely yours onto the lining of your jacket and/or the back of your waistcoat. From images of your loved ones, to meaningful patterns, or even a scene from a favourite movie you enjoy together, it's the freedom to add a more intimate aspect to your suit.

3. Stitching your story 

If your love language is words of affirmation, then you should certainly look at embroidery. Stitch your loved one’s initials, a favourite quote, or a meaningful date. We can add embroidery anywhere on your suit, but the common places are the cuff, collar, or the inside of the jacket.

Attention to detail is at the heart of our craftsmanship. You can choose from a huge range of thread colours and font styles. A complementary colour to your partner's suit is always a lovely touch.

4. The Heart of Harmonised Colours 

Who knew there were so many colour options when it comes to choosing a suit? We won’t delve into colour theory, but the colour you choose says so much. It reflects mood, harmonises with a season, and showcases individual style. Two people can unite their uniqueness with cohesive suits, using colour to reflect their personalities while perfectly complementing one another. Even smaller details like choosing to have one buttonhole, or all of them in the colour of your partner's suit can unite the two looks.

Here’s some further inspiration:

The Switch-up: 

Becky and Sophie create a cohesive look by cleverly coordinating suit pieces in complementary colours. One of them pairs a burgundy waistcoat with their partner’s burgundy jacket, while the other wears a blue waistcoat to tie into their partner’s blue suit. However, they shared key style elements, both wearing single-breasted jackets with notch lapels, burgundy buttons, two slanted pockets, matching shoes and boutonnieres.

Matching Waistcoats:

Chris and Tom opt for identical waistcoats while keeping their jackets complementary. Chris wears a blue jacket paired with Tom’s green one, both single-breasted with notch lapels, whilst their waistcoats are made from the same checked cloth and matching shawl lapels.

Mixed and Matched:

Sarah and Rachel create a striking contrast in their suits. One embraces a bold, vibrant royal blue jacket and trousers, while the other takes a more understated approach, with the same royal blue for the shirt but paired with a muted jacket. This subtle nod to the bold colour creates a connection between their styles without overpowering individuality.

5. Tied at the Knot

Coordinating ties and bow ties can symbolise unity and harmony, offering a meaningful expression of your bond. You might match colours with contrasting patterns, or opt for different types of tie but with the same fabric. It's a subtle yet powerful way to represent the bond shared between two individuals.

6. Cut from the same Cloth 

We’ve touched on colour; let’s move on to fabric. When selecting the right material, you may find yourself with different preferences from your partner, e.g. wanting a brighter colour vs a more muted fabric. We offer a wide range of fabric bunches, each material available in a variety of styles, textures, and colours. This allows you to select fabrics that not only reflect your individual preferences but also complement your partner’s choice. Whether you want to match the tones or create a harmonious contrast, you can choose materials that work together to create a unified look. 

If you’re looking for wedding suits, your fabric should mirror the theme for the big day; for a country wedding, you could choose herringbone or tweed in varying tones, or for a summer celebration, lightweight linen or breathable bamboo in different shades.

7. Buttonhole Colours

Even the smallest details, like buttonhole colour, can be a meaningful way to express love and individuality. Personalise your buttonholes with the colour of your choice, from the jacket lapel and sleeves down to the last buttonhole on a waistcoat. You can choose to add a personal touch by incorporating your partner’s favourite colour for one or more of your buttonholes, a heartfelt nod to your connection. It’s a subtle way to infuse every stitch with love.

8. Pocket Some Love

Let your pocket square tell your love story. Pocket squares are a great decorative addition to a suit, adding a touch of fun and style. But what if they could symbolize more? Just like you can print your own design onto your suit lining or waistcoat, you can do the same with your pocket square. You might choose to feature a meaningful print, a cherished quote, or a favourite poem. Or simply opt for matching pocket squares with your loved one.

One of the most popular choices is our 'Love is Love' pocket square. You could even make a bold statement by pairing it with our bespoke 'Love is Love' shirt.

If this catches your fancy, you can purchase one here.

9. A Tailored Journey for Two

Last but not least, going through the suit design process together can be the ultimate expression of love. Collaborating on fabrics, styles and details creates not only two fantastically fitted suits but also shared memories. You help bring each other’s vision to life, receiving input from the person who knows your style best. An experience that lasts a lifetime.

If you have already found your fit with a partner, is it time to now find yours with a suit? Book a free consultation via our website or give us a call on 0330 053 6776.

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